Vending machine



Sept. 12, 1933. A. D. ANTOINE VENDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 22, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 five/2 0%; W612 @2752; a

Q G Dotcy' Sept. 12, 1933. A. D. ANTOINE VENDING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 22. 1931 lllglll' Se t. 12, 1933. A. D. ANTOINE VENDING MACHINE Filed Oct'. 22. 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 V mp Wm flue/2Z2?" U ay/e672 07.275576? Sept. 12, 1933. NToINE VENDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 22. 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept. 12, 1933. ANTOINE 1,926,663

VENDING MACHINE Sept. 12, 1933. A. D. ANTOINE 1,926,663

VENDING MACHINE Filed 001;. 22. 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Spt. 12, 1933. A. D. ANTOINE VENDING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Oct. 22. 1931 ire iv /7 Sept. 12, 1933. A. D. ANTOINE VENDING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 5205/27 nfouze/ l Filed Oct. 22. 1931 Sept. 12, 1933. ANTOINE 1,926,663

VENDING MACHINE Filed 0ct. 22. 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 r P aten ted Sept. DQ15333 1 VENDING: MACHINE P Ami-fed 1); Antoine; Chica Vance Machine Com poration of Illinois This invention relates to improvements in; vending machinesof the type in which the articles to be vended are arranged in a column consisting of supports arranged one above the other. :and properly spaced to receive articles therebe-o tween, each of the supports holding its respective article or articles, thesupportsb eing provided with locking means for releasably holding thern' against 'tiiting movement; and one of the objects of the invention is to provide improved means," whic'h upon theinsertion of a proper coin or] token into the machinemay be actuated to successively release or unlock these supports to allow them to tilt to discharge or deliver therefrom ;the article or articleslheld thereby. f

A further object is to provide in a machine of this character a pluralitv of columns of shelves, and improvedfmeanswhereby the articles tofbe Qdeiivered may be selected from either of the columns. v

A further object is to pro character improved, means for tripping or reieasing the supports and whichzmeans'is'adapt- ,ed for intermittent advancement in a constant direction, and improved means for releasing the tripping" rneans, withrelation tothe advancing means therefor, whereby the tripping means will be autoinatically returned to its initial or "start= j 'in g position independently with respectfto itsade "vaneing means', upon the delivery of the last I article from the column] I a f A further object is to provide iniamachine of this charaeter coincontrolled mechanism for ac Q tuating the control ineehanisrnfor the releasing mechanism for thearticle supports anc l-mea'nsg whereby the coin or checkwill be returned to the operator inhthe absence of articles intthe series; f'

To the attainment of these ends and the ac compli'shnlent of other new and usefulobjects as will appear, the inventionconsis'ts m ne features of novelty. in substantially the construction, com hination andarrangement oilthe lseveral parts I hereinafter more fully described and clairned and 6 shown in the accompanying drawings illustrating this invention and inwhich Figure 'l isa view in rear elevation, of amachinej oi character with the back o'i the casing removed. m I V Figure 2 is a perspective-view of the supporter-1 shelf tripping element; viewed from one facef' thereof; V r -Figure 3 is a view similar from thejother'facefthereot .7 1i H Figure' iis a view takenon'line 4-4, Figure 12.

to Figure viewed 4 parts in another position.

maining. partsin another position.

1 'ineans in a' position just before it reac s v the parts in another'p ositionk vide in a machine of v I v 7 12 -12, Figure 1, Withpaits Omitted.

some ofth theloperating racks.

Figure 12;. I

pany, Chicago, 111., a core Figure 5 is a detail'perspective view of a por tion of the, actuating for the support trip};

ping means; a tiO n. V V

Figure 6 is'fa view similar to Figure the parts in another position. v Figure? is a view similarto Figure lwith parts omitted and parts broken-away, andwith the 1d Showing the parts in one posi- FigureB is a detail sectional View; take 88,Figurel2.- v ,1; V Figure 9 is a view similar toFigure withadditional parts broken awayend showing the re Figure 10 is a1detai1 view in elevation witir parts omitted, and showing the support'tripping se its limit a .oiitravel to'release the last support.-

Figure'llis a view'si'milaf'toFigure 19, showing Figure 12 is a detail sectionalfviewtalren on Figure 13 is a sect 13%13, Figure 1. 1 Figure 141 is a detail :per

ional view taken onil i'rie spective View showing for. v l

erspective View of one of nism. I

f Figure 17 isa v iew in eleva Figure 1 8, is a det Figure? 19 is,

n" a slig'htly different the numeal 2Q designates generally an enclosing? casing of any desirdsize and configuration, provided with" an open back olosed byta-removable: closure,';*not shown, and .is provided vvith a :d

{ char'ge outlet opening (not shown); adjacent the bottom thereof, through which the commodity to'i bedispense'dfis delivered to the operator. Are

ranged in asuitable position'isj a coin controlled;

non line line j esupports and the lockingmeanstheree memhers of thefslide or tripmechae I tio n o f assess r a-view siniilar toi igure i, with parts ornitteifof a modified formof-the'in'ven- .tion,;and showing-the parts i and 24 are detail elevations f f surface 99 at the lower end of the trip element 77 strikes the projection 100; I

The force or impact of the inclined surface 99 against the projection 100 will cause a relative movement of thetrip element '77 with respect to the slide 75, with theresult that the trip element will be raised with respectto the slide. and the link 88 will then swing about its pivot 89', from the position shown inFigure-ll back to the posi tion shown in Figure 10, and as soon as the notch 92 in the trip element is in a position to receive the nose 91 ofthedog 90, the spring 93 will cause the nose to enter such notch or recess and will move the projection '76 so that it will be in a position to engage over one of the shoulders 45 when the slide'is again advanced. At the same time move into a position that the spring 83 will swing the dogsl about its pivot 82 into an operative position or into th position shown in Figure 10.

By the provision of the link 88 and the pivots 87- B9, it will be manifest that the trip element will move downwardly with respect'to the slide 'lS and .also'into a position withjrespect to the slide 75,.t0 insure a proper positioning of the dogs so serted for movingthe slide '75 upwardly and downwardly on the rack bar.

After all of the supports havebeen lowered by .the operation or" the release mechanism and the release mechanism has been returned to ;its initial position, the supports may be repositioned so as'to hold articlesthereupon by moving their free endsupwardly until the latch springs into position under the shoulder 41 on the members 29. 1

. As a meansfcr preventing the dischargeof the coin into the machine after either of the columns has been exhausted or emptied, suitable coin re turn mechanism may be provided.

As before stated, the check controlled meshanism may be of any desired type. Suiiice it to say that the coin is deposited into-a. disc having a seat thereim which is adapted to be inverted so as to discharge the coin therefrom. In order to prevent the discharge of the coin when the machine is empty, each one of the series'is provided'with a coin return mechanism preferably comprising 'a rock shaft 103 (see particularly Figure 4) journaled in suitable bearings, 104. One end of the shaitis bent upwardly as at 105' and a portion thereof is bent forwardly as at 106, another portion of the shaft is bent'rearwardly to form an arm 107. By rocking the shaft 103 in one direction, the portion 106 will be positioned under the coin in the coin. carrier so that it will not be delivered from thes'eat and by rocking the shaft 103 in the opposite direction,- the portion 106 will be withdrawn so as to allow the coin to be deposited in the machine.

Any suitable means may be provided for thus rocking the shaft, but a simple and efiicient means embodies aumember 108 (see particularly Figures 1 and 13) having an opening into which the end of the arm 10'? projects. To this member is'con-f I .nectedone end oi-a spring .109 and the other end of the spring is connected as at: 110 to the end of a rodlll that. extends upwardly along one of the walls 29, moving in suitable guides. The-upperendfof the rod 111 is shapedto form a projecting portion 112 thatstandsiwithin the path of 1 movement of the end of the uppermost support 30, as shown more clearly in FigureslO andli, so that when the uppermost support 30 lowered by rockingabout its pivot 32, one end v thereof. will conta'ctwith the portion 112 of the rod llland raisethe latter, and thisthrough the medium of the spring 109 will raise the memher 108 and thereby'rock the shaft 103 by. raising thearr'nlo lf.-' i

" Connected with the member. 108 issa link 113.

(see also Figures 4 and 7) and the connection' between the member108 and link 113 may be ad justable and 'fo'rmedrpreferably by means of screws 11% passing through slots 115'in one of the members and engaging the other member. Abell crank lever 116 is pivotally mountd as at 117 to a fixed support preferably" the wall of the enclosing casing, and to one arm of the. bell crank liever the end of the link 113 is pivoted asat 118; A stop 119'is provided for limiting 1 themovement or" the other arm of the bell crank lever in one direction. The bell crank lever .116. is. mounted adjacent the shiftablecam member 62 and carried bythe cam member 62 is a camprojection-120 which is adapted when the cam member 62 is shiftedby the handle 64, to engage the arm of the bell cranklever 116! and rock the latter infa directionto lower the member v108 and, the arm 1070f the shaft 103111 a direction coin inthe coin carrier. 1 A l I When, however, the uppermost support 30 is lowered, the rod 110 will raise the armlO'l 'to' position the projection 106 so as to prevent the discharge of the coin into the machine. "There-- to. withdraw the portion 106- from beneath the fore, after the articles have been exhausted from one supply and it is desired .to vend the articles from the other column or supply, the uppermost .Thereiore; means must be provided for retracting this portion 106 so that the articlescan be vended from the other columnby the same coin con trolled mechanism. I

The bell crank lever 116 andlink 113 are pros vided for this purpose and are so arranged that when the member 62 is shifted so asto vend from'the other cclur'nn, the cam shaped portion 120 willfengage the bell crank lever ,116 of the exhausted supply and thereby retract the por tion 106 of the shaft 103; The coin return mechanism of the other supply will beheld inactive. by reason of the weight of the parts operating 1 to rock the shaft. 103 in a directioncto' withdraw the respectiveportion106 of the shaft and'will so 'remainuntil'the uppermostsupport has been? shifted to draw upon the rodlll. The spring '109 permits' the cam'shaped portion 120 of the cam member 62 to shiftthe bell'crank lever 11 6 and withdraw the portion 106 of the shaft 103,

evenithough the uppermostcsupport has a ten-..

dency to render the coin return mechanism active.

With this improved construction it will be manifest that at any'time'during the operation of the machine, the operator can selectively vend articles from either column, or series, and after all of the articles have been exhausted'from one supply or column, the articles in the othercolumn can be vended, and the coin will be returned cure an article. .The coin is then delivered. into the coin.- controlled mechanism and the handle 22 actuated. It is assumeiat the startof the operation, that the slide 75' with the trip mechanism carried thereby,;is in its lowermost position or in the position shown in Figure 1. When the coin is-inser'ted 'andthe handle 22 is operated,

the rack 44 will be moved longitudinally and with it the slide 75 and the trip or release mechanismuntil' the cam 80 on the'slide'shifts the latch 35 of the lowermostsupport to release" the lat er and allow it to drop. At thistime the 81' will engage over the portion 37 of the next adjacent latch 35, so that when the rack44 is returned theslide 75 will beheldinits adjusted position and-the rack will move with relation to the-slide. .This ratcheting upwardly of thevslide H53Wlth the supporting mechanism'is repeated during the successive operations of the coin controlled mechanism until 30 isreached. 9 .i

This support will be tripped infa' similar man the uppermost support nerand when trippedthe rod 111 will be moved longitudinally to render the coin return mechanism active. .At thesame time that the upper-' most support 30 is trippedthe slide 75 will continue in its movement until the end of the trip element 7'? abuts the'projectionor stop 101.7 The slide 75', however, will continue to travel in-the same direction toshiftthetrip element 77 with relation to the slide, and this will shift the dogs 81- 90pto inactive positions with respectto the latches and also to the's'houlders onthe ,r'aci: bargandthe slide will then drop by grav- 'ity to the bottom of the machine.

rack bar.

During this movement by gravity the parts of the slide andtrip mechanismwill be as shown in Figureu2. When the slide reaches a position that the inclined surface of the trip element '7'? contacts withithe stop or projection 100, the tripelement will be shifted with respect to the slide so that the parts will move from the position shown in Figure 2,-back to the position shown in Figure 10, to render'theslideactive withrespect totherackbar. 1. 1 c

:Thetrack bars are 'moved by the coin con-' trolled meehanism'through the mediumof the 3 supplies is exhausted, the coin return mechanism will be rendered'active; g I b Inasmuch as the same coin, controlled mechanism is providedfor each of the supplies, the

' bell crank lever 116 and link 113 are provided for rendering it possible topermit of the operation of the machine to vend from theother supply without the loss of the cointo the operator in an attempt toven'd'from the exhausted supply, which I might otherwise .be done by the operator by setting the selecting-mechanism through the opera tion ofithe handle '64.

In order to prevent an operator from par-- tially setting the bar 53 bythe knob64 and then I holding this bar in this partially set position by holding the knob 64 so that upon iactuatingof the mechanism an article will be dispensed from 7 one of the supplies, and then by further manip-j ulating the knob 64 toagain set the bar 53 to the other column and before the coin is-returned,

that is perform such operations whilethe coin controlled mechanism is held by holding'the nandle 22, a'nd thenoperating the machine again so as to dispense two articles by the insertion ofia single coin, the'mechanism disclosedin Figures 19 to 24 maybe'provide'd, 7

In this form of the invention the bar 53 is made in two sections,that is the upper end of.

the rod is enlarged as at'121 at a point spaced 7 e :from the extremity 122 and this enlargement is 511618 7 5 W111 be moved to a POSltlOIl that the (1025. in the form of a hollow frame to provide an open-- ing 123; The slot in" this form of the invention which takesthe place of the slot 60 in which the lug 61 projectaisformed in a separate member 124, the slot 125 therein, corresponding to the slot 60, extends substantially throughout the 123, the member 124 beingpivotally mounted as t at 126 upon the bar 53 soa's to swing freely with respect thereto.

Connected with the member 124 and on opposite sides of the pivot-126are springs 12'? prefinto the slot 125 of the member 124 and by swinging the member 62 by rotating the handle 64, the lug 61 will cause themember 124 to rock about its pivot,the opening 123 in the portion 1210f the bar53 permitting ofsuch rocking movement of the member 124'.

The member 124 is moved bodily'with the bar :53 and when the' end 122 of the bar 53 is positioned as shown in Figure ldthat is so that the extremity122, stands beneath the lug 51 on the rack member 44, the bar 53 will, when it is moved bodily, move the rack bar44 to trip one of the supports "30.,

QWhen in thepos ition shown in Figure 19, the end of the bar 53 will assume a position to one side of a shoulder or'projection 129 and will hold the bar 53 in the position sho'wn in Figure 19 during the reciprocating movement of the bar and this operation will continue upon each operation of the machine, so long as the member 62' is in 'thevposition, shown in-Figure 19.! When,

length thereof and'in {register with the opening however, the member 62-is moved from the position shown in Figure l9'to the position shown in Figures 21; 22 and 23, no matter what position the bar 53 is in, the handle 64 will be adapted for a full rotation and. the member 62 will be'swung to the full extent of its movement by reason of the fact that the member 124 will swing about the pivot 126.

When, however, the sideiof the bar 53 engages the side of the shoulderor projection 129 (see Figure 19) and the member 62 is moved from the position shown in Figured?) to the position shown in Figures 21 to 23, the full movement of" the knob 64 willnot be interfered with becausev the lug or projection 61 will cause themember '124 to rock about the pivot 126- and this will cause one of the springs 12'7to move away from its projection 123 while a stressis created upon the other spring 127, see particularlyFigure 22, r and this stress will remain in the spring 127 un-z til the extremity 1220f the bar 53 moves to aabout its pivot 126 from the position shown in;

dotted lines to the position shown in'full lines in Figure22, to position theend12 2 of the bar :53 beneath the lug 51 on the other rack bar 14. In

this position and upon operation or-shifting of the bar 53 the end-thereof will engage this lug 51 and shift the other rack bar 44.

During thisperiod of movementthe end of the bar 53 will clear the shoulder 129 and as the bar 53 is moved upwardly the. end thereof will pass on theother side of the shoulder or projection 129 as shown in Figure 21. I I Shouldth'e member 62 be moved back to the position shown in Figure 19 while the end of the bar ,isinthe position shownnin FigureZl, the member lfie will be rocked in the opposite direction about the pivot 126 and causea" stress to be exerted'on the other spring 127 so I that upon lowering the bar 53 whenthe end thereof clears latter the shoulder or projection 129, such end of the bar will be moved back from t1 e position shown be capable of a full rotative movement andthe spring together with the inclined surfaces 69 will co-operate with the extremity 63of "the member 62 to assist in throwing the member 62 to one side or the other after the center point has been passed.

Should it be attempted to move the parts to rectly; beneath the shoulder or projection 129. The result will be that when the'parts are in this position and it is attemptedto actuate the bar 53 to shift one of thoracic bars e4,gsuchoperation will be prevented by reason of the fact that the end 122 of the bar 53 will engage beneath the shoulder or projection 129 and the movement of thebar 53 willbe arrested.

Gbviously, it will be manifest that with this construction the selective featureof the mechanism is still provided, but in this form of the invention a safety means is also provided to prevent a fradulent operation of the machine, and at the same time permit theoperator to impart a full rotativelmovement'to'the knob selector handle 6% 7 After the'selecting mechanism has been oper-' ated in any positionof the bar 53, it will'be' manifest that uponoperation oi the machine, the bar 53 will aright itself according to the position of themember 62.

If desired and in order to hold the member 6'? against lateral movement, a guide or way130 may be provided;

The springslZFl operate to automatically shift 1 the bar'53 at a predetermined time in the operation of the machine so that the bar 53 will be movedto its limit and it will not be possible to manipulate the machine so as to get' more than one article onthe deposit of each coin,

Spaced lugs 131 may be provided betweenwhich the bar 53 will oscillate so as to limit the shiftingv movement of the bar from oneioi its positions .to the other. i 7

While the preferredfornis of the invention have been herein shown and described, it is toib'e understood that variousfchanges maybe madel in i the details of construction and in thecombination and arrangement 'of the several parts, withactive to permit a pivotahmoveinent of said "supports, a reciprocable memberfmeans for reciprocating themember, pawl and ratchetmech- 'anism for connecting said unit, with the said member whereby said -unit maybe advanced, and a means operatively connected with said unit and 'co-operatingwith means carriedwith a support above the one released, for causing a relative lie movement of said member with relation to said unit in one direction of movement of the member. 2; In a vending machine a plurality of superposed spaced pivotally mounted article supports,

locking means for maintaining them against movement about their pivots, a releasing unit for successively rendering said locking means inactive to permit a pivotal movement of said supports, a reciprocablemember, means for reciproeating the member, pawland ratchet mechanism,

for connecting said. unit with the said member whereby said unit may beadvanced, means operatively connected with said unit" and co-op 'erating with a support above the one released,

for causing a relativemovement or" said member with relation to said unit in one direction of 'movementof the member, and means operating automatically at a predetermined point in-the ratchet connection inactive, whereby said unit will return by gravity, independently of 8151's member.

3. In a vending machine a plurality of super-? posedspaced pivotally mounted article supports,

locking means for maintaining them against, movement about their pivots, a releasing unit for successively rendering said locking means inactive to permit a pivotal movement of said-sup ports, a reciprocable member, means for reciprotively connectedwith said unit and co-operating;

advancement of said unit to rendersaid pawl and 1 vidualsuperposed articleholdersspaced to re- "ceive articles 7 the article holders for mounting them for swing-' therebetiveen'nieans individual to ing movement independent of each other, releas ing' means individual to the series for successively adapting the holders of. he respective series to swingaoout their pivots, actuating means common to said releasing means, and means for selective ly rendering either of said releasing means active or inactive at will with respect to said actuating means. 1 j

5. In a vending machinea pluralityof series of article holders, each series embodying individual superposed article holdersfspacedto re ceive articles therebetween, means individual to the article holders for mounting them for swin ing movement independentnf .eachother, reieas-I ing means individual to the series for successively adapting the holders of the respective series to swing about their pivots, actuating means "com-f mon to, saidreleasing means, and means adapted.

to be set at will from outside of the machine for selectively rendering either of said releasing means' active,or'inactive with respect to said at:- tuating means. Y l I I 6. In a vending machine a series of superposed pivotally mounted supports, means for maintaining said supports against pivotal movement, a

unit adapted tofbe inter ittently advanced to successively adapt said supports for such pivotal. movement, means for intermittently advancing said unit, the last recitedmeans embodying a reciprocable rack, a spring controlled pawl carried with said unit-and co-operating with the rack,

ciated with saidunitand adapted to be shifted to render the pawl inactivefwith respect to the rack to permit said unit to return by. ravity and independently with respect to the rack, and

means adapted to. be engaged bythe last said means at a predetermined time inthe cycle of op eration of the mechanism to automaticallyrendersaid pawl inactive with respect to said rack.

,7. In a vending machine a series of superposed pivotally mounted supports, meansv for maintaining said supportsagainst pivotal movement, a unit adapted to be intermittently advanced to successivelyadapt said supports for such pivotal' movement, means for intermittently advancing said unit, the last recited means embodying a reciprocable-rack, a spring controlled pawl car-,

tothe rack to permit unit to return by gravity 7 and independently with respect to thelrack, means adapted to be engaged by the last said means at apredetermined time in the cycle of operation of the ine'chanismto automatically render said pawl inactive with respect to said rack, and means,

1 operatingautomatically to'render said pawl a cmovement;

tive with respect to the rack, as said unit approaches the limit of its independent return 8. In'a vending'machine a'plurality of series of article holders, each series embodying indi vidual superposed article holders spaced to receive articles therebetween, means individual to the article-holders'ior mountingthem for swinging movement independent of'ea-ch other, re-

leasing -means' individual to the series for "successively adapting the holders of the respective series to swing about their pivots, actuating means common to said releasing means, means for selectively rendering eitherof said releasing means active or inactive at will, with respect to said actuating means, and means whereby the extent of'movement of the said releasing means by the said actuating means maybe varied.

,9. In a vending machine a plurality of series of spaced superposedshiftable article supports fixed against traveling movement, means for maintaining them against such shifting movement, means individual to the series and adapted to transverse the series for successively adapting said supports for shifting movement,.actuating means individual to the second recited means, a

masteractuating member common to the first recited actuating meanameans for operating'said niaster actuating member, and means for selectively rendering said master actuating membericom'm'on to the first recited actuating'means,

means for operating said master actuating. memgber, shoulders individual to the first recited actuating means'and means'for ,selectivelyposh' tioning at will, said master actuating member'to engage one of said shoulderstooperate, the respective' actuatingmeans, upon the operation of "the said masteractuating member. means for reciprocating'the rack, means asso-J.

I l1.-Ina" vending machine a plurality of series ofarticle holders, each series embodying individual spaced superposed. holders fixed against itravelin'g movement, means'individual to the article holders for'maintaining them against movem'ent with respect-to each other, and means for" the last said means;embodyihgreleasing mechanism individual to the series, a master actuating "element,,and means for positioning the master actuating elementsto be active with r'espect to either of the said releasing mechanisms.

13. In a vending machine, a series of spaced superposed article holders mounted for pivotal movement, means .ior maintaining the holders against such, movement, releasing means for ren dering the first'said means inactive to permitaof a pivotalmovement of said holders, means for ,intermittently advancing the saidfreleasing means, the said advancing means embodying 'a' rack member, therel'easing means embodying a slide'movable upon the rack member, a spring controlled pawl for connecting the slide andv rack fil s member; and means rendered anemia aw predetermined time in the cycle o'foperationof thereleasingmeans for shifting said pawl into aninactiveposition ,to disconnect the slide withrespeet to therack memberwherebythe slidewiil fall by gravity with respectto the rack member. I

j lfi. In alve ndin'g machine, a series of spaced superposed article l olderslm'ouhted fer pivotal= movement, means iorjmaintainingthe holders against such movement, releasing means for ren dering the firstsaid means inactivate permit of a pivotal movement of saidholdera-Emeansior intermittently v advancing the said releasingmeans, the said advancing means-embodying rack member, the releasing: means embodying a,

slide movable upen'theracl member, a spring controlled pawl for. connecting the slide and rack member, means rendered active. at a predetermined time in the cycle ofoperation offthe' releasing means for shifting said pawlinto an in- 7 active position to disconnect the slide with respectto the rack member whereby the sli-dewill fall bygravity with respectto-the rack member,

and means operatingto automatically shift the pawl bacl; into an operative position with respect to theraek member, at a predetermined time in the said falling movement of thesaid slide; 1 115. In a vending machine, a series of spaced superposed article holders mounted. for pivotal movement, means formaintaining the holders iallby gravity with respect to-the rackmember, means for reciprocating the rack member, means operating-automatically to render said slide active with respect to said at a predetermined time in the falling movement of the slide, and means for maintaining the said slideagainst movement with the rack member when thelatter is givena retrograde movement during the reciprocation thereoi topermit the slide to be advanced by the rack member.

l6.. In a vending machine a series of super posed pivotally mounted article holders, means for maintaining them against such pivotal movement, a releasing unit for successively adapting the holders for sush pivotal 11191181116111}, a rack for, intermittently advancing said releasing unit,

means for reciprocating the rack, said unit embodying 'a slide mounted loosely upon the rack member, aspring controlled dog co-operating with the rack for connecting, the slide and the rack for, advancing the former, a holding dogv for holdingithe slide'iirits advanced position, a

shiftable elementcarried with the slide, and a stop adapted to be engaged by said shiftable element during the advancement of the slide for rendering the first dog inactive withrespect to the rack whereby the slide may be returned inde pendently of the rack.'

17. In a vending machine 'a series of superposed pivotally mounted article holders, means 1 for maintaining them against such pivotal movement, a releasing unit for successively adapting theholders pivotal movement;a rack V forgintermittentlyadvancingsaid releasing unit,

means for reciprocating the rack',1 saidkuniti eme bedying -a slide mounted loosely upon the rack aco operating member, a spring controlled; do with: the ,rack for'connecting' the sm g a the rack, for advancing the former, a; holding dog" ior. holding-the slide in its advanoed positiong a shiitabielelement carried with the slide, afjstop" dep e to e-en a ed d shiftable ement 1g the advancement of the slidefor renderdur he firstdoginactive with respect to the rack ereby then lde" may be returned independenti lyoi the rack, a' stop adapted toqcause said shiitabl'e elementjupon*thereturn of the slide,- to shift the said; spring controlled dog torender the same activewithkrespect to said rack.

1 "18.: In, a 'vending'machinea seriesof shiftable l ,ar ticle' holders, ea i tor- 'maintaining them againsta such movement, means for renderingithe 1ast said means inactive to permit of suchshift- 'ing ;movement,' the last recited means; embody} ,1. ing areciprocable rackmember, a'slide mounted to moveajrely,thereupon, a;,spring controlled 00- dog mounteduponthe slide ior operatively Q0111 necting the slide and rack; member, a';shiftable 7 element also carried by the slide; a-link connection between said, element and the slide; whereby when; said element is shiftedwith respect tothe slide two difie'rent iinovements will; be imparted 1,05 tothe element; a stop'adaDted tobe engaged by said lement when theslide is moved in on'e' dir ec-i tioniby the rack-member tdmpve the-element]. l

with; relation, to I the Slide, to render said dog inactive with; respect to the rack member, and a stop adapted to be engaged by the said element when the siidemoves in thel opposite direction, to*

shift -,Said element L'With espectuto theslide to render thegdcg activewlth espect'to the rack member. 7 .jffl a 19.;In ayendingjmachine a; series' oi shiftable ing movement, the last recited -meansjembodying: a reciprocabl rack member, a slide mounted article qholders," means for maintaining them against such movement, means forrendering thelast said meansinactiveto permitof such shiftto move freely thereupon, a spring 'controlled dog, mounted upon the slide for operatively connect- 'ingthe slide and rack member, a; shiftableqelement alsooarried by the slide, al nk connection between said element gandthe slide whereby when said elementis ,shiit'edwith respectto the slide two difierent movementswill be imparted to the element, a stop adapted to be engagedby said element when the slide is moved in one direction by. theirack member, to move the element with V relation to the slide, to render said dog inactive with respect to the rack member, afstop adapted V to be engaged by the said element when the slide moves in the opposite direction, to shift said element with respectto the slideto renderthe dog active with respect to the rack member, ,a

holding dog carried by the slide tor-maintaining the slidein the position to which it has been moved by the rack member, and meanswhereby thereiative movement of said element with relation to the slide will render the of article holders, each series embodying indisaid holding dog 7 1 active and inactive.- 3 20. In a vending. machine a plurality of series ".vidu'al spaced superposed holders, means indif5 vidual to the 'holders. for maintaining them I against movementwith respect to each other, r a

' of either series to be successively released, the

means for selectively adapting at will the holders so i last said means embodying releasing mechanism individual to the series, a -master actuating" element, and means for positioning the master ac-V 5 nisms. a

.tuating element to bep active with respect'yto either of said releasing mechanisms at will, the last recited means embodying a member'adapted V to be set'bythe operator at any time in the cycle of bperationof the mechanism fof'causing the,

master actuating element to be selectively positioned with respect to the said releasing mecha- 21, In a vending machine a plurality'of series of article holders, each series -embodying individual spacedsup'erposed holders, meansindi Vidual' to the holders for -maintaining them against movement with respect t'o each other, means-for selectively adapting at will the holders of either series tobe-successively'released, the last said means embodying releasing mechanism individual to the series, amaster actuating 'ele-' ment, means -forpositioning the'master actuating element to be active with respect-to either .of

said releasing mechanisms atwillj the last recited-means-embodying a-member adapted to beset by the operator at anytime'in the cycle oi operation of the mechanism for causing themasteractuatingelement to be selectively positioned with respect to the said releasing mechanisms, means cO-operating With the said member and adapted to be-rendered active by the setting of "said memberfor shifting said master actuating element, and -means fori maintaining the :last

7 said means against shifting said -master actuatof the machine. v 2-2. -In-a vendingmachine a plurality of series of ing element until the latter has been moved to a predeterminedposition in thecycle of operation article holders, releasing ,mea'n's individual to the holders of each seriesfor-causing themto deliver the articles therefrom, a master actuating-element, 'means f or positioning said actuating element to be active with-respect to either series of releasing means, thesaid positioning means embodying a setting member operable at will, a resilientl'y yielding connection between said set: ting member and said master actuating element,-

and 'means fo'rfca'using said connection to be placed under -tensionby the actuation ofsaid setting member, the last recited meansalso op' erating tomaintain the master actuating'element against shifting -movement by the said setting member and said connection-until the master l actuating element-reaches a predetermined position in its cycle of'operation.

2 3. In a vendingmachine a plurality of V of article holders, releasing -means' individual-to thehQldersI =01? eachseries for causing them to,

deliver the articles therefrom, a master actuating elemena means for positioning said actuating elementto be active with-respect to eitherseries of releasing -means, the said positioning -means embodying -'a setting mem ber operable at will,

a resiliently yielding connection between 1 said setting'member'and said master actuating ele-' ment, means for causing saidconnection'to be placed under tension 'by the" actuation of said series setting member, the last recited means also operating to maintain the master actuating element against shifting movement bythe said setting member and said connection until "the master I actuating element reaches a predetermined -po-" sition in its cycle-of operation, and means for maintaining said master actuating element againstoperation when the latter assumes a pofsition intermediate its full set operative position's.

l j 24; In a vending machine a plurality of series of article holders, releasing means individual to the holders of each series for causing them to de-' liver the articles therefrom, a master actuating element, means adapted to be set at'any' time during the operation of the machine for causing said master element to be rendered active with relation to: either of said series of holders, the

moved aboutits pivot with respect to the said element, means for actuating said master actuatmg element, and means for maintaining said swinging member against pivotal movement with respect to the said master actuating element until the latter reaches a predetermined position during the'cycle of operation thereof. 7

25. =In a vendingmachine a plurality of superposedspaced pivotally mounted article supports, locking means f -or' maintaining them against movement about their pivots, a releasing unit a for successively rendering said locking means-mactive-to permit a pivotal movement of said supports, :a :reciprocable member, means for reciprocating the member; means for connecting said unit-with said member for advancing said unit, and means operatively connectedwith said unit and ,co-operatingwith means carried with-a supportabovethe one-released, for causing a relative movement of'said member with relation to said unit in onedirection' of movement of said member.

26. In-a vending-machine-a plur'ality'of superposed spaced pivotally mounted article supports, locking means 'for maintaining them against movement abouttheir pivots, Y a releasing unit for successively rendering said locking means inactive to permit pivotal movement of saidsupports,

areciprocable-member, means for reciprocating the member,means for connecting-the said unit with-said'member for advancing the unit, means operativelyconnected With said-unit and co-operating with a support above the one released, 'for causing'a relativemovementof said member with relation toisaid unit inone direction of movement ofthe-member, and means operating auto- ;maticallyat a predetermined point in the advancement of said unit torender said connecting means inactive, whereby said unit will .return .-by gravity independently of said member.

ALFRED D. ANTOINE; 

